Industry News – January 20, 2021

Last Chance: Apply for the James Beard Foundation Investment Fund

Last fall, the Foundation launched and began fundraising for the James Beard Foundation Food and Beverage Investment Fund for Black and Indigenous Americans. The fund will provide $15,000 grants to diverse food and beverage businesses that are majority-owned by Black or Indigenous individuals across six regions nationally. Applications close at 3:00 P.M. ET on Friday, January 22, 2021. Please share amongst your networks.

Source: James Beard Foundation

 

Small Business Owner Kept All His Employees with Revenue Down 70%

The economic relief plan President-elect Joe Biden unveiled last week includes $15 billion in grants and $35 billion in low-interest loans for struggling small businesses. “Marketplace’s” Reema Khrais checked in with Drew Dalzell, who owns Diablo Sound, a sound-design company based in Los Angeles that specializes in live events, like theme parks and haunted houses. Dalzell recounts the tough choices he had to make in order to keep his business and employees afloat during this time.

Source: Marketplace

 

Veteran Small Business Owners are More Resilient During Pandemic

While 65% of the veterans say the pandemic continues to negatively affect their businesses, a survey by Alignable Pulse shows veteran-owned businesses are making strides despite their challenges. More are able to make rent, and have reserves, the survey states.

Source: NBC San Diego

 

PPP Round 2: How Much, and How to Have It Forgiven

The country is taking a second stab at the PPP, with a new round of much-needed loans having opened this week. So, what’s different this time around, and how can you use the funds to qualify for forgiveness? Business’s short guide for loan forgiveness answers these questions and more.

Source: Business.com 

 

Poll: 82% Of Americans Want More Small Business Aid

$1.9 trillion is the size of the rescue package President-elect Biden proposed last week. Given the reluctance of many Republican lawmakers to spend that much and Democrats’ razor-thin majority in the Senate, there’s no guarantee that Congress will ultimately pass legislation of that size. Americans were clear: The Biden administration should prioritize aid for small businesses and additional direct payments. 

Source: Forbes